She scanned her house for the last time. She knew it would be a while until she had a roof on her head again. The landlord wanted the rent and she was already two weeks late. She asked for more time, but she knew by now that she wouldn’t be able to pay. She had no other choice but to leave. She was physically and mentally worn out, but something kept her going. She couldn’t tell what it was. Without having a clue of where she’d spend the night, she left the house with the clothes on her back and her only possession: two copper coins.
She stepped out into the chilly night and remembered the days her late husband came home from a successful day of fishing and with great stories to tell. She was certain he made some of them up. Yet she loved it all so much. She loved him so much. It had been three years now since she laid him to rest. Three years since she heard his hoarse voice telling her the unbelievable stories with the enthusiasm of a 5-year-old. Her life was so different now.
The cold wind hit her face as she walked down the dirt path. She felt like a stranger in her hometown. Her family and friends wanted nothing to do with her. She had even wondered if God wanted anything to do with her. She heard of this teacher who came to town claiming to be the Messiah. How she wished He was who He said He was. He had the crowd fixated on Him. She’d heard of the great miracles He performed. She wanted one herself. She was tired. She found a place in the corner where she could rest. Her feet were numb from the cold. She fell asleep there clutching the copper coins in her hand; the only thing she had left.
The chirping birds and the sound of footsteps walking past woke her up. She sighed. She didn’t know what to do next. She could look for work, but who would hire her? She was so hungry that she could hardly move. But there was an unexpected strength that always kept her going. She got up and suddenly heard the bells ringing. She hadn’t realized she fell asleep near the old temple. Maybe she would go in and say a prayer. It’s been so long since she had gone. She wondered if God saw her. She walked up the great steps. Everyone was dressed in bright robes and tassels. She had on a faded brown robe that her husband bought for her 5 years ago. She realized her hair hadn’t been combed in days. She immediately wrapped the end of her robe around her head covering her unkempt hair. Whoever noticed her frowned in disdain. She was used to this. She stared at her hands: the two copper coins. She kept walking.
She stood in line with everyone else to put in the offerings. She could hear the sound of their heavy bags falling into the treasury. What difference did her copper coins make? She wanted to turn back, but she couldn’t. She felt a gentle tug on her heart to keep going. She looked at her hands again. Would this matter? She didn’t know the answer. But she decided she didn’t have anything to lose. She dropped in the coins and turned to leave. Her future unknown.
‘God, do you see me?’, she wondered as she walked on.
As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
Luke 21:1-4 (NIV)
Dear friend, wherever you are in life today, remember you are seen. Seen by a God who loves you and holds you. He sees your circumstances and He sees you’re tired. He hasn’t set you aside. He applauds your faithfulness. Keep going. Do not be discouraged. Do not be afraid. The best is yet to come.
She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”
Genesis 16:13 (NIV)
This post was first published here on the author’s blog.